Fishing devices and methods

ABSTRACT

A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 16/250,231, filed Jan.17, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/725,988, filed Aug. 31, 2018. The contents of the aforementionedapplications are incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to fishing devices and methodsof using the fishing devices. More particularly, the embodimentsdisclosed herein remove invasive fish species selectively andeffectively en masse.

BACKGROUND

Invasive fish species are serious threat to the native ecosystem.Invasive fish species commonly lack predators and over populate.Invasive fish species compete with native fishes for food sources,causing the populations of native fishes to decline, which may causefurther decline of other native species that feed on the native fishesendangering the entire native ecosystem.

For example, Cyprinus carpio (herein after “carp”) is an invasive fishspecies in North America. Carp was introduced to North America in late1800s from Europe. Due to its habit of rooting in the bottom of the lakewhile searching for food, the common carp uproots aquatic vegetation,disturbs bottom sediments, releases nutrients from sediments into watercolumn and deteriorates water quality of the lakes. Carp is also one ofthe leading causes of biodiversity declines in the lakes of NorthAmerica.

Carp needs to be removed from the lakes to preserve the natural habitatand improve water quality. Additionally, carp needs to be removedselectively, without harming native fish and impacting natural habitat.They also need to be removed effectively en masse to make carpmanagement economically viable. The embodiments disclosed herein providesolutions to remove carp from the lakes selectively and effectively enmasse.

Traditional solutions of removing carps use large commercial seine nets(often over 1,000 feet long) that are dragged along the bottom of thelake. These seine nets are not very selective. They capture both thecarp and native fishes. The seine nets also disrupt the bottom of thelake, disrupt aquatic vegetation stands and disrupt habitat for nativefishes. Also, the seine nets snag easily on debris on the bottomallowing the carp to escape and learn how to avoid such nets in thefuture. Also, a large number of people is required to operate thesenets. Therefore, current solution of using seine nets is not effectiveand arguably causes some unintended harm to the native ecosystem.

This invention selectively attracts carp to an area using baits withhigh specificity (over 95% fish attracted are carp). The embodiments ofthe invention condition carp to aggregate in a certain area over aperiod of time. The embodiments remove the attracted carp in largequantity. The embodiments do not harm other fish species because theyprimarily attract carp and other species caught in those nets can beeasily released. The device is stationary, not pulled across the lake,thus it can be easily used around obstacles on the bottom. Due to thedesign, the embodiments can be triggered by one person, or triggeredautomatically once certain conditions are met. Due to the unique designof the embodiments of the invention, the captured fish can be harvesteden masse.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to fishing devices and methodsof using the fishing devices. More particularly, the embodimentsdisclosed herein remove invasive fish species selectively andeffectively en masse.

According to one embodiment, a fishing device includes a net disposed ina body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein eachpost further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portionof the stem, a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem, and a cord.The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under abottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidablysecured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to aweight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishingdevice includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs aportion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent tothe cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center ofthe net.

According to one embodiment, a method includes setting up a fishingdevice in a baiting mode. The fishing device includes a net disposed ina body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein eachpost further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portionof the stem, a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem, and a cord.The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under abottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidablysecured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to aweight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishingdevice includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs aportion of the cord to hold the weight in the first position adjacent tothe cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center ofthe net.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the concepts andspecific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed systems and methods,reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a fishing device according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a post in a baiting mode according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a post in a harvest mode according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a release mechanism according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5A shows a bait system according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5B shows a bait system according to one embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a floating pipe that assists the harvesting according toone embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an assembly of harvesting tools according to one embodimentof the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a method of using the fishing device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure.

Similar reference numbers in the figures refer to similar features. Thefeatures shown in the figures are exemplary only and should not beconstrued as to limit the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a fishing device 100 according to one embodiment of thedisclosure. The fishing device includes a plurality of posts 102, a net104, a bait system 130, and a rope holder 120.

The plurality of posts 102 act in synchronization. They are either inbaiting mode or in harvest mode. FIG. 1 shows the posts 102 in harvestmode. Each post has a connection point 118 attached to the net 104. Asshown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the fishing device 100 includes sixposts 102. In other embodiments, the fishing device 100 can include lessor more than six posts 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, the net 104 is in a shape of a box with a horizontalbottom and four vertical sides. The net 104 has no top. The net 104 hasa width (W), a length (L), and a height (H). In one embodiment, L isfrom 10 to 300 feet, preferably 50-120 feet. In one embodiment, the W isfrom 5 to 200 feet, preferably 20-60 feet. In one embodiment, the H isfrom 1 to 50 feet, preferably 8-15 feet.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the top four corners and two middle pointsalong the length of the net 104 are connection points 118. Theconnection points 118 are attached to the cords 114. In one embodiment,the fishing device 100 can operate with four posts. In anotherembodiment, the net can be in a triangle shape. When the net 104 is in atriangle, the fishing device 100 can operate with a minimum of threeposts. In yet another embodiment, the net 104 can be in a circular oroval shape. When the net 104 is in a circular or oval shape, a pluralityof posts may be used to operate the fishing device 100.

A post 102 includes a cross bar 106, a stem 108, a bottom cross 110, aweight 112, a cord 114, a release mechanism 116, and a release rope 122.The post 102 is inserted to a bottom of a lake, with the bottom cross110 disposed near a top surface of the bottom of the lake. The stem 108extends below the bottom cross 110 and is inserted into the soil at thebottom of the lake. The bottom cross 110 stabilizes the post 102 againsttilting and/or sinking too deep into soft bottom.

The stem 102 is an upright-standing elongated protrusion that extendsfrom the bottom of the lake up to 3 to 20 feet above the surface of thewater. A cross bar 106 is attached to a top end of the stem 102. Asshown in FIG. 1, the middle point of the cross bar 106 is connected tothe top end of the stem 102.

The cross bar 106 includes hanging mechanisms, e.g., wheels, metalrings, or pulleys, that hang the weight 112 through the cord 114. Thecord 114 has two ends. One end of the cord 114 is secured to the weight112. Another end of the cord 114 is secured to the net 104 at theconnection point 118. The hanging mechanism allows the cord 114 toslide. In one embodiment, the hanging mechanisms are two wheels attachedat a lower side of the cross bar 106. In another embodiment, the crossbar 106 is a pipe with cavity inside, and the hanging mechanisms are twowheels installed inside of the cavity of the cross bar 106. In anotherembodiment, the cord slides through metal rings attached to each end ofthe cross bar 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection points 118 aredisposed at the top edge of the net 104. In one embodiment, the weight112 is a PVC pipe filled with concrete. In another embodiment, theweight 112 includes metal, e.g., plastic covered lead block. In anotherembodiment, the weight is a container filed with water.

The post 102 has two modes: baiting mode and harvest mode. In baitingmode, the weight 112 is hanged adjacent to the cross bar 106. The weight112 is in a relatively higher position (a first position) in baitingmode compared to a position in harvest mode (a second position). FIG. 1and FIG. 3 show the posts 102 in the harvest mode. FIG. 2 shows the postin a baiting mode. The weight 112 weighs between 10 and 200 pounds.

In baiting mode, a portion of the cord 114 is secured by the releasemechanism 116, such that the weight 112 is held at the first positionadjacent to the cross bar 106, and the net 104 is laid on the bottom ofthe lake. In one embodiment, to ensure the net 104 stays at the bottomof the lake, one or more lead ropes can be woven into the net 104.

To switch from the baiting mode to the harvest mode, the releasemechanism 116 releases the cord 114, allowing the weight 112 to dropfrom the first position to the second position. While the weight 112 isdropping, the weight 112 pulls the net 104 up. In the harvest mode, theconnection point 118 of the net is pulled above the water surface for 1to 5 feet, in one embodiment.

The release mechanism 116 is caused to release the cord when anactivator is triggered by pulling the release rope 122. In oneembodiment, the activator is a lever disposed inside of the releasemechanism 116. When the lever is pulled by the release rope 122, a cordgrabber of the release mechanism 116 releases the cord 114, allowing theweight 112 to drop and pulling the net 104 up.

The release rope 122 is made of a buoyant material that floats on thesurface of the water. The release rope 122 can be made withpolypropylene or any other material that floats on top of water. One endof the release rope 122 is attached to the release mechanism 116. Theother end of the release rope 122 is attached to the rope holder 120that is located at least 20 feet away from the net 104. In oneembodiment, a user can pull the release ropes 122 to release the weight112 which in turn pulls up the net 104 into the harvest position. Inanother embodiment, the rope holder includes one or more motors that areable to pull the release ropes 122 automatically in response to command.In some embodiments, the rope holder 120 is located on shore. In otherembodiments, the rope holder 120 is on the water.

In baiting mode, the net 104 lays at the bottom of the lake allowing thefishes, e.g., carps, to feed on the bait system 130. The bait system 130is preferably disposed near or around the center of the net 104,maximizing the amount the fish to be captured. One or multiple baitingsystems 130 can be used in each net 104. As the invasive species (e.g.,carps) aggregate around the bait system 130, the release mechanism 116can be triggered to release the cord 114, allowing the weight 112 todrop and simultaneously pull up the net 104 to harvest the fishes.

FIG. 2 shows a post 106 in a baiting mode 200 according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. The post 102 includes a cross bar 106, astem 108, a bottom cross 110, a weight 112, a cord 114, a releasemechanism 116, and a release rope 122. The post 102 is inserted to abottom of a lake, with the bottom cross 110 disposed near a top surfaceof the bottom of the lake 204. The stem 108 extends below the bottomcross 110 and is inserted into the soil at the bottom of the lake 204,acting as an anchor to stabilize the post 102. In some embodiments, thestem 108 extends 1-6 feet below the bottom cross 110. The bottom cross110 includes four arms extending from the stem 108 horizontally. In someembodiments, each arm of the bottom cross 110 is in a range of 0.5 to 5feet.

The stem 102 is an upright-standing elongated protrusion that extendsfrom below the bottom of the lake up to 3 to 25 feet above the surfaceof the water 202. A cross bar 106 is attached to a top end of the stem102. In another embodiment, the cross bar 106 can be installed below thetop end of the stem 102. In one embodiment, the cross bar 106 isinstalled at or above the surface of the water and below the top end ofthe stem 102. In another embodiment, the cross bar 106 is installed ator below the water. In one embodiment, the stem 102 is a standaloneupright protruding structure that extends from below the bottom of thelake up to 0 to 25 feet above the water surface, wherein the stem 102 isinstalled away from the shore and is not installed on a concrete blockor the like. In one embodiment, the stem 102 is a standalone uprightprotruding structure that extends from below the bottom of the lake upabove the water surface, wherein the stem 102 is not installed on aboat.

In baiting mode 200, the weight 112 is hanged adjacent to the cross bar106. The weight 112 is in a relatively higher position (a firstposition, see FIG. 2) in baiting mode 200 compared to a position inharvest mode 300 (a second position, see FIG. 3). In baiting mode 200, aportion of the cord 114 is secured by the release mechanism 116, suchthat the weight 112 is hanged at the first position adjacent to thecross bar 106, and the net 104 is laid flat at the bottom of the lake204. Because the net 104 is laid flat at the bottom of the lake 204, thefish can freely access the bait system 130 located near the center ofthe net 104. This allows the fishes intended to be removed to aggregatearound the bait system 130 without the net 104 being an obstacle. In oneembodiment, to ensure the net 104 stays at the bottom of the lake, oneor more lead ropes can be woven into the net 104 to increase theheaviness of the net 104.

To switch from the baiting mode 200 to the harvest mode 300, the releasemechanism 116 releases the cord 114, allowing the weight 112 to dropfrom the first position (higher position) to the second position (lowerposition). While the weight 112 is dropping, the sides of the net 104are being pulled up encircling the fishes intended to be removed withinthe net 104.

The release mechanism 116 is caused to release the cord 114 when anactivator of the release mechanism 116 is triggered. In one embodiment,the activator of the release mechanism 116 is triggered by pulling therelease rope 122. In one embodiment, the activator is a lever disposedinside of the release mechanism 116. When the activator is triggered, acord grabber of the release mechanism releases the cord 114, allowingthe weight 112 to drop in position and pulling the side walls of the net104 up. In one embodiment, the cord grabber is a jaw like mechanism, see420 of FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the cord grabber can be programmed torelease the cord at a predetermined time. For example, the cord grabbermay include a timer. The timer can be programmed to trigger a release ofthe cord grabber after a certain predetermined period.

The release rope 122 is made of a buoyant material that floats on thesurface of the water. The release rope 122 can be made withpolypropylene or any other material that floats on top of water. One endof the release rope 122 is attached to the release mechanism 116. Theother end of the release rope 122 is attached to the rope holder 120that is located at least 20 feet away from the net 104. In oneembodiment, a user can pull the release ropes 122 to release the weight112 which, in turn, pulls up the net 104 to harvest the fishes. Inanother embodiment, the rope holder includes one or more motors that areable to pull the release ropes 122 automatically in response to acommand transmitted with wire or wireless communication. In someembodiments, the rope holder 120 is located on the shore. In otherembodiments, the rope holder 120 are on the water.

FIG. 3 shows a post 102 in a harvest mode 300 according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. The post 102 includes a cross bar 106, astem 108, a bottom cross 110, a weight 112, a cord 114, a releasemechanism 116, and a release rope 122. The post 102 is inserted to abottom of a lake, with the bottom cross 110 disposed near a top surfaceof the bottom of the lake 204. The stem 108 extends below the bottomcross 110 and is inserted into the soil at the bottom of the lake 204.The cross 110 acts as a stabilizer for the stem 108 preventing it fromtilting or toppling over. In some embodiments, 1 to 6 feet of the stem108 extend below the bottom cross 110. The bottom cross 110 includesfour arms extending from the stem 108 horizontally. In some embodiments,each arm of the bottom cross 110 is in a range of 0.5 to 5 feet. Thestem 102 is an upright-standing elongated protrusion that extends frombelow the bottom of the lake up to 3 to 25 feet above the surface of thewater 202. A cross bar 106 is attached to a top end of the stem 102. Inone embodiment, the stem 102 is installed to the natural bottom of thelake. In another embodiment, the stem 102 is installed on a footing,e.g., a piece of concrete block, that may be located off shore.

All features of the post 102 shown in FIG. 3 are similar to FIG. 2,except the cord 114 is being released by the release mechanism 116, theweight 112 is dropped to a second position (harvest mode) that is lowerthan the first position (baiting mode), and the net 104 is pulled up ator above the surface of the water 202.

To switch from the baiting mode 200 to the harvest mode 300, the releasemechanism 116 releases the cord 114, allowing the weight 112 to dropfrom the first position to the second position. While the weight 112 isdropping, the sides of the net 104 is pulled up, encircling the fishesintended to be removed within the net 104. In the harvest mode 300, theconnection point 118 of the net is pulled above the water surface 202.In some embodiments, the connection points 118 are pulled 0 to 10 feetabove the water surface 202.

FIG. 4 shows a release mechanism 116 according to one embodiment of thedisclosure. The release mechanism 116 is a device that releasably holdsthe cord 114 such that the weight 112 is maintained at a positionadjacent to a top portion of the post 102.

The release mechanism 116 is secured to the stem 108 of the post 102with an attachment mean 408. Any appropriate attachment mean can beused, for example, screws, metal bracket, metal clamps, joist, or thelike. The release mechanism 116 includes a housing 402. The housing 402includes a plurality of release rope seats 404 and grabber seats 405. Asshown in FIG. 4, the housing 402 includes four release rope seats 404 onone surface of the housing 402. The housing 402 includes four grabberseats 405 on another surface of the housing 402.

The release mechanism 116 includes an activator 410 and a cord grabber420. The release rope 122 is connected to the activator 410. When therelease rope 122 is being pulled, the activator 410 is triggered tocause the cord grabber 420 to release the cord 114.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the activator 410 is a lever and the cordgrabber 420 is a jaw. In baiting mode, the jaw 420 holds a slip knotformed with a portion of the cord 114. When the release robe 122 isbeing pulled, the lever 410 is triggered to cause the jaw 420 to open,releasing the cord 114. The weight 112 starts to drop from the firstposition to the second position. In the process of dropping the weight112, the weight 122 pulls the cord 114 and untie the slip knotautomatically allowing the cord 114 to slide through the hangingmechanism 210 attached to the cross bar 106. Thus, the release of thecord 114 by the release mechanism 116 switches the posts 102 from thebaiting mode 200 to the harvest mode 300.

As shown in FIG. 1, the release mechanism 116 further includes aconnector 406. The connector 406 secures the connection between therelease rope 122 and the activator 410, such that the activator 410 isnot accidentally triggered by unintended forces, e.g., winds, waves,fishes, etc.

FIG. 5A shows a bait system 130A according to one embodiment of thedisclosure. The bait system 130A includes a float 502, a bait bag 504,and an anchor 506. The float 502 floats on top of a water surface 202.The float 502 indicates where the bait system 130A is located.

The bait bag 504 is a container that contains the bait and allows thefish to feed from it. In one embodiment, the bait bag 504 is a made withmesh. The mesh of the bait bag 504 has openings 5% to 50% smaller indiameter than the bait particle. The mesh material is somewhat elasticsuch that the fish can suck the bait out of the bait bag through theopening of the mesh. When fishes are not feeding on the bait, the baitstays inside of the bait bag 504 because the mesh opening of the baitbag 504 is smaller than the bait particle. In one embodiment, the baitis crushed corns with a particle diameter of 0.1-0.5 cm. In anotherembodiment, the bait is whole corn kernel with a particle diameter of0.5-1.5 cm. In one embodiment, the bait bag 504 may contain 30 to 100pounds of bait.

In one embodiment, the bait bag 504 can include two or more mesh bagsoverlapping with each other to slow down the consumption rate of thefish. Slowing down the bait consumption speed can retain the fisheslonger within the net 104.

The anchor 506 is attached to the bait bag and holds the bait bag 504 inplace, such that the bait bag 504 stays inside the capture element. Theanchor 506 weighs from 2 to 20 pounds.

FIG. 5B shows a bait system 130B according to one embodiment of thedisclosure. The bait system 130B has automatic on-demand feeder and/orbait-refill functionality. The bait system 130B includes a tank 510, atrigger rod 512, and a bait bag 514.

The bait bag 514 is the same or similar to the bait bag 504. The tank510 is positioned higher than the bait bag 514. The bait system 130B mayinclude a float assistance mechanism to maintain the tank 510 floatingon top of the water surface 202 and maintain its up-right position asshown in FIG. 5B. The tank 510 includes a trigger rod 512. When thefishes are feeding out of the bait bag 514, the trigger rod 512 isinevitably touched by the fishes. When the trigger rod 512 is beingmoved around by the fishes, the bait contained in the tank 510 isreleased into the bait bag 514. Thus, the tank 510 automatically fillsthe bait bag 514 as the bait are being consumed. The tank 510 has thecapacity to store an amount of bait at least equal or larger than thebait bag 514.

In one embodiment, the tank 510 has the capacity to store a first amountof bait. The bait bag 514 has the capacity to store a second amount ofbait. The first amount is at least the same or larger than the secondamount. In one embodiment, the first amount is 50-200 pounds, and thesecond amount is 50 pounds.

In one embodiment, the bait system 130B includes the tank 510 with thetrigger rod 512, but not the bait bag 514. In this embodiment, the baitwill be released directly into the water when the fishes touch thetrigger rod 512. As such, the fishes can consume the bait directlywithout sucking the bait out of the bait bag 514.

FIG. 6 shows a floating pipe 602 that assists the harvesting accordingto one embodiment of the disclosure. When harvesting the fishes, one ormore floating pipes 602 can be used to assist the process of harvest.The floating pipe 602 is inserted underneath the net 104. A user of thefishing device 100 can push the floating pipe 602 in a direction 604. Bypushing the floating pipe 602 in the direction 604, the fishes in thenet 104 are also being pushed to the direction 604. In this way, thefishes in the net 104 are concentrated in a desired area, e.g., wherethe boat is, facilitating the process of harvesting the fishes.

In one embodiment, the floating pipe 602 is a PVC pipe capped at eachend to achieve maximum buoyancy. In one embodiment, several capped PVCpipes are connected end-to-end using flexible joints which allow forflexibility of the floating pipe 602, which helps with aggregating fishin a desired area such as shown on FIG. 7.

After the weights 112 are dropped and the perimeter of the net 104 israised above the water surface 202, the fishes are encircled within thenet 104, i.e., the harvest mode. One or more floating pipes 602 areinserted under the bottom of the net 104. The floating pipes 602 raisethe portion of the bottom of the net 104 in contact with the pipes 602above the water surface. In one embodiment, the portion of the bottom ofthe net 104 in contact with the floating pipe 602 can be raised threefeet or less above the water surface 202.

One or more users can then push the floating pipes 602 toward one corneror one side of the net 104 to concentrate the fishes, which allowsharvesting the fishes en masse conveniently. In one embodiment,harvesting may occur by pulling or rolling the part of the net where thefish are aggregated onto a boat.

FIG. 7 shows an assembly 650 of harvesting tools according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. The assembly 650 includes a plurality offloating pipes 602 and a plurality of harvest cages 610, and at leastone motorized boat 612.

As shown in FIG. 7, there are three floating pipes 602. In oneembodiment, each of three users pushes one of the three floating pipes602 toward a first side of the boat 612. A plurality of harvest cages610 are pre-disposed at the first side of the boat 612. The cages 610may include an open top, such that when the fishes are concentrated theyeasily fall into the cages 610. The motorized boat 612 may include oneor more cranes to lift up the harvest cages 610 into the boat.

FIG. 8 is a method 800 of using the fishing device according to oneembodiment of the disclosure. The method 800 includes a step 802 settingup a fishing device 100 in a baiting mode 200. The fishing device 100includes a plurality of posts 102, a net 104, and a bait system 130.

The method 800 includes a step 804 waiting for a period of time to allowfishes to aggregate around the bait system 130. The waiting period canbe from 1 hour to 20 days, preferably 3-5 days.

The method 800 includes a step 806 triggering a release mechanism of thefishing device 100 to switch the fishing device 100 from the baitingmode 200 to harvest mode 300. The method 800 includes a step 808inserting one or more floating pipes 602 underneath the net 104 to liftat least a portion of a bottom of the net 104 above the water surface.

The method 800 further includes step 810 pushing the floating pipestoward desired directions to concentrate the fishes in a desired area.The method 800 includes step 812 harvesting the fishes from the desiredarea. In one embodiment, the desired area is adjacent to a boat. Inanother embodiment, the desired area is adjacent to a shore.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thepresent invention, disclosure, machines, manufacture, compositions ofmatter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to bedeveloped that perform substantially the same function or achievesubstantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments describedherein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly,the appended claims are intended to include within their scope suchprocesses, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fishing device, comprising a net disposed in abody of water; a post installed near a perimeter of the net, the postfurther including a stem, a portion of the stem being above a surface ofthe body of water; a cord, the cord being slidably secured to the stem,a first end of the cord being attached to a weight, a second end of thecord being attached to the net; and a release mechanism, the releasemechanism secures a portion of the cord to keep the weight in a firstposition.
 2. The fishing device of claim 1, wherein the net is in a boxshape without a top surface having a length, a width, and a height. 3.The fishing device of claim 2, wherein the length, width, and height areeach more than 1 feet.
 4. The fishing device of claim 1, wherein thepost includes a bottom cross installed at a lower portion of the stem.5. The fishing device of claim 4, wherein the bottom cross is disposednear a bottom surface of the body of water.
 6. The fishing device ofclaim 1, wherein the fishing device includes a cross bar installed at anupper portion of the stem, the cord is slidably in contact with thecross bar.
 7. The fishing device of claim 1, wherein the releasemechanism, in response to a trigger, releases the cord, causing theweight to drop from the first position to a second position, the secondposition is lower than the first position.
 8. The fishing device ofclaim 7, wherein, while the weight is dropping from the first positionto the second position, at least a portion of the net is pulled abovethe surface of the body of water.
 9. The fishing device of claim 1further including one or more floating pipes that can be insertedunderneath a bottom of the net to lift at least a portion of the bottomof the net.
 10. The fishing device of claim 1 further including a bait.11. A method for fishing, comprising disposing a net in a body of water;installing a post near the net, a portion of a stem of the post beingabove a surface of the body of water; slidably securing a cord to thepost; securing a weight to a first end of the cord; securing a portionof the net to a second end of the cord; and securing a release mechanismto the stem, wherein the release mechanism is capable to secure orrelease a portion of the cord.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprisingwaiting for a period of time to allow fishes to aggregate near the net.13. The method of claim 11, comprising triggering the release mechanismto release the cord.
 14. The method of claim 11, comprising dropping theweight from a first position to a second position, wherein the secondposition is lower than the first position.
 15. The method of claim 11,comprising pulling at least a portion of the net above the surface ofthe body of water.
 16. The method of claim 11, comprising placing a baitnear the net.
 17. The method of claim 11, comprising inserting one ormore floating pipes underneath a bottom of the net to lift a portion ofthe bottom of the net.
 18. The method of claim 17, comprising pushingthe one or more floating pipes to concentrate fishes to a desired area.19. The method of claim 18, comprising harvesting the fishes near or inthe desired area.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein disposing harvestcages near or in the desired area.